Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant primarily identified by its coral pink buds and flowers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized -- as to novelty -- by the coral pink buds andflowers which generally are of exhibition (Hybrid Tea) form.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usualy borne singly, but alsoseveral to the stem in loose clusters.

Some fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded, upright shape with smallsemi-glossy to matt foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowersbeing similar in form and size to Sheri Anne (miniature -- U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,826) -- but with more petals.

The plant, which has a normal height of 14-18 inches or more, can easilybe maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration was well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at SequoiaNursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful controland observation, as a cross between Little Darling (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,581 -- expired -- floribunda) as the seed parent and Anytime(miniature -- not patented) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding aswell as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; upright; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cutflowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety identification: MORcalyn (Commercial synonym:Coral Cameo).

Flowers borne: Singly and several together (3 to 5 ) on slender wireystems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium to lightgreen, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); with no prickles and numerousvery short hairs.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form long; pointed with few or nofoliaceous apendages on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extendingbeyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length. Color-- medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- light pink, often greenish at base. Opening:opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35 mm (11/2").

Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 40 petals, arranged regularly plusseveral small petaloids.

Form.--High centered with petals rolled loosely outward and downward.Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate (nearly round) with small acutetip; intermediate -- broad lanceolate with small acute tip; inside --lanceolate with acute tip.

Color: (Newly opened flower from a plant grown in plastic greenhouse(November 1982), Visalia, Calif.):

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- soft pink, near Carmine Rose 621/3(or lighter), becoming yellowish to greenish at base. Inside surface --near Carmine Rose 621/3 becoming slightly lighter shade of pink on basalhalf of petal, with small yellow area at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Insidesurface -- similar to outside petal but usually deeper shade. As floweropens color lightens, becoming similar to outside petal surface.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; insidesurface -- same as intermediate petal. General color effect; buds andnewly opened flowers -- soft blend of pink shades with lighter reverse.Three days open -- open-color -- similar to newly opened flowers, butlighter color -- then aging to darker pink at petal tips. Behavior --opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off. Flower longevity(October 1982) -- plant in pot 4-6 days or longer. Cut flowers at livingroom temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium long, yellow.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Small amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Varying length -- quite long; greenish; bunched; oftenmalformed.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; mediumsmall; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval; apex acute; base rounded --sometimes acute.

Color.--Medium green; new growth -- normal (medium) green (sometimestinted reddish).

Rachis.--Medium strength; upper side may have few or no prickles orhairs; grooved; underside may have several thorns (1 to 3) and few or notiny prickles or hairs.

Stipules.--Medium to short length; medium width; short to medium lengthnarrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees or more.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright; much branched.

Growth.--Free; vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green. Thorns: several. Prickles -- none.Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns; several; slender. Prickles:none. Hairs -- none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of exhibition form, essentially light pink in color, the petalsbeing a blend of pink shades and changing to darker pink at petal tipsin more mature stage, and further characterized by a plant of compactwell rounded shape, vigorous, with the main stems and shoots beingmoderately thorny, the said plant being easy to propagate from cuttingsor by budding, with an abundance of small semi-glossy to matt foliageand an abundance of flowers borne singly or several to the stem in looseclusters.